The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 1 eBook

before the Grandsire. The Grandsire, hearing everything
they said, reflected for a moment and settled in his
mind what he should do. Resolving to compass
the destruction of the Asura brothers, he summoned
Viswakarman (the celestial architect). Seeing
Viswakarman before him, the Grandsire possessed of
supreme ascetic merit commanded him, saying, ‘Create
thou a damsel capable of captivating all hearts.’
Bowing down unto the Grandsire and receiving his command
with reverence, the great artificer of the universe
created a celestial maiden with careful attention.
Viswakrit first collected all handsome features upon
the body of the damsel he created. Indeed, the
celestial maiden that he created was almost a mass
of gems. And created with great care by Viswakarman,
the damsel, in beauty, became unrivalled among the
women of the three worlds. There was not even
a minute part of her body which by its wealth of beauty
could not attract the gaze of beholders. And like
unto the embodied Sri herself, that damsel of extraordinary
beauty captivated the eyes and hearts of every creature.
And because she had been created with portions of
every gem taken in minute measures, the Grandsire bestowed
upon her the name of Tilottama. And as soon as
he started it into life, the damsel bowed to Brahman
and with joined palms said, ’Lord of every created
thing, what task am I to accomplish and what have I
been created for?’ The Grandsire answered, ’Go,
O Tilottama, unto the Asuras, Sunda and Upasunda.
O amiable one, tempt them with thy captivating beauty.
And, O damsel, conduct thyself there in such a way
that the Asura brothers may, in consequence of the
wealth of thy beauty, quarrel with each other as soon
as they cast their eyes upon thee.’

“Narada continued, ’Bowing unto the Grandsire
and saying, ’So be it,’—­the
damsel walked round the celestial conclave. The
illustrious Brahman was then sitting with face turned
eastwards, and Mahadeva with face also towards the
east, and all the celestials with faces northwards,
and the Rishis with faces towards all directions.
While Tilottama walked round the conclave of the celestials,
Indra and the illustrious Sthanu (Mahadeva) were the
only ones that succeeded in preserving their tranquillity
of mind. But exceedingly desirous as Mahadeva
was (of beholding Tilottama) when the damsel (in her
progress round the celestial conclave) was at his
side, another face like a full-blown lotus appeared
on the southern side of his body. And when she
was behind him, another face appeared on the west.
And when the damsel was on the northern side of the
great god, a fourth face appeared on the northern side
of his body. Mahadeva (who was eager to behold
the damsel) came also to have a thousand eyes, each
large and slightly reddish, before, behind and on his
flanks. And it was thus that Sthanu the great
god came to have four faces, and the slayer of Vala,
a thousand eyes. And as regards the mass of the
celestials and the Rishis, they turned their faces